The average summer vacation costs about $2,000, according to John Hancock Life Insurance's Twine app, which translates to roughly two to three weeks' pay for the average American. Here's how to start saving now, so you can vacay later.
Start early
Book your tickets now(ish)
According to the travel aggregator Skyscanner, it pays to book now. January and February are among the best months to book the cheapest flights.
That said, booking advice is really all over the place. Skyscanner also says the best time to book a domestic flight is two to three weeks in advance. For international travel, it's about five to six months.
Travel+Leisure — citing a CheapAir.com study — says, for summer, your best bet is 47 days in advance.
Set a reminder for 5 a.m. Sunday
That's when Skyscanner says it's the best time to pull the trigger on airline tickets. Oof!
Pack a lunch
If you normally buy your lunch even just twice a week, that easily adds up to about $90 a month that could go directly toward your trip, according to LearnVest. Or maybe it's diverting funds from your twice-a-day coffee habit. Whatever your latte factor might be, it's a proven strategy for getting your expenses under control and saving money in the long term.
Skip brunch
Just to reiterate, dining out eats away at your bank account. If you are regularly spending $40 or more on a boozy Sunday brunch — or the equivalent on happy hour — skip the festivities and slip the savings into your vacation fund. Free or low-cost activities like taking a hike together will keep the camaraderie up while keeping costs down.
Sell something
In the spirit of Marie Kondo, if it doesn't spark joy, put it on Craigslist and see how much you can get for it!
Plan a yard sale
Better yet, get rid of it all, says The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance site. A full-blown yard sale can typically net $250 — though, as you know, results may vary.
